The temple in Brentfield Road is celebrating the “festival of lights” all day with special blessings, prayers and services paying homage to Saraswati Devi, the Hindu deity of knowledge, arts and wisdom.
To give it the correct name, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is joining millions of Hindus around the world in arking the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
The festival of Diwali is also known as the festival of lights when Hindus mark the victory of light over darkness.(Image: Neasden Temple)
There are food and drink stalls from 10am to 9pm, with visitors getting a free calendar and the chance to try some delicious sweets.
And at 8pm at Gibbons Recreation Ground, opposite the Mandir, there’s a spectacular half-hour firework display that’s free for all to enjoy.
Posting on Instagram the Temple wished “everyone a happy Diwali.”
A post shared by BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (@neasdentemple)
To cut down of congestion there’s a Diwali Day Special Bus Service operating on Monday 20 October for Diwali visitors to Neasden Temple.
It runs from Neasden Tube Station to the Mandir in Brentfield Road every 10 minutes from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and then from the Mandir back to Neasden station every 8 minutes after the display until 9.30pm.
Parking will also be available at Wembley Park’s Pink Car Park from 3pm until 10pm with shuttle buses operating to and from the Mandir.
Celebrations continue later in the week with Hindu New Year on Wednesday October 22 when the temple will also be running a full day of events.
Further details at www.neasdentemple.org/diwali
